Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for Blank Gameweek 29

Picture that GIF of a confused John Travolta standing in a room.

Where did all the fixtures go?

Then imagine Joe popping his head round the door and exclaiming, “We’re all going to captain Harry Kane, bye!” before exiting swiftly, getting on his chopper and riding off into the sunset. 

That’s Blank Gameweek 29 in a surreal nutshell.

Just four fixtures, eight teams to choose from and one player to captain.

You have until the 18:30 GMT deadline on Friday to make sure the armband is on Harry Kane (£11.5m), decide on any potential transfers and perhaps the odd ‘minus two’ hit.

Gameweek 28 Scout Picks built on Spurs, Everton and Villa assets

However, a few managers will be playing their Free Hit this Gameweek, and if you are one of them, you’re in luck – because there has been an array of ‘perfect Free Hit squad’ articles on the site this week.

But, as Seb pointed out, those articles can be a benefit to all of us:

Even if you have resolved to save the Free Hit, however, being aware of the players that those using the chip this week may pick in their ‘ideal team’ can be useful information in guiding your own selection decisions.

When discussing chip strategy, David revealed that under a quarter of managers will be deploying their one-week Wildcard. So the majority will want to take into account the fixtures beyond this weekend.

Thankfully, Neale prepared a piece on just that topic.

Frisking the fixtures for the teams playing in Blank Gameweek 29 highlights Arsenal’s appealing schedule, particularly from Gameweek 31.

Among that group of eight, the Gunners lead the way for expected goals over the last six matches. 

Jamie noted their steady improvement this season when breaking down the best midfielders and forwards to buy for Gameweek 29. Arsenal’s recent upturn included victory in last weekend’s north London derby.

In midfield, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.5m) would be the first name on Lateriser’s teamsheet for his mock Free Hit draft. The three-time top 200 manager cited his 11 shots in the box and four big chances over the last six matches as evidence for his inclusion, with penalty duties adding another string to his bow.

At the back, Kieran Tierney (£5.2m) has impressed the upside-chasing maverick:

I like Tierney as a pick because he has a chance for returns at both ends of the pitch. Arsenal have a fairly resolute defence and Tierney is very well known for his attacking ability. In the last six matches, only Luke Shaw and Trent Alexander-Arnold have created more chances than Tierney among defenders and he showcased a very good understanding with Emile Smith Rowe on Arsenal’s left side in the north London derby. It is worth noting that in the same period, he has amassed eight shots as well.

Can Martin Ødegaard live up to his potential and become a top FPL asset? 2

Martin Ødegaard’s (£6.0m) recent displays have caught the eye of Tom Freeman, who made the Norwegian his headline differential pick. Tom highlighted his ability to find space on the edge of the box and a share of corner-taking duties among the reasons for his selection.

And Bukayo Saka (£5.3m) was talked up by Gianni and Andy on their stream last night. Despite limping off with hamstring tightness at the weekend, Mikel Arteta was positive about his chances of recovering, as Neale reported in yesterday’s team news update.

Meanwhile, it’s been a torrid week for their local rivals. Tottenham Hotspur are now out of the Europa League so rescheduling their game against Southampton becomes a tad easier for the Premier League.

As Andy and Gianni mentioned yesterday evening, Kane played 120 minutes in Croatia while Gareth Bale (£9.6m) came on for what was supposed to be the last half-hour but ended up being 60 minutes after the tie went into extra-time.

Enough to make them change their mind on captaincy or transfers? Probably not.

Gianni is planning to bring in Bale for the next two matches before switching to Mohamed Salah (£12.4m) in Gameweek 31, when Liverpool enjoy their own nice run of games. In fact, the soon-to-be-dethroned champions are top of the Season Ticker for that final sequence.

That upcoming run has persuaded Andy to keep faith with the Egyptian for now.

In fact, the high-flying Pro Pundit is contemplating adding Diogo Jota (£6.6m) alongside him.

But Spurs assets could be kept beyond the next two matches, despite their Gameweek 33 blank because of reaching the League Cup final. Neale explained:

Spurs assets are a god-send for those using their Free Hit chip in Gameweek 33 but even for the rest of us, fixtures against less-than-watertight defences in Newcastle, Sheffield United, Leeds United and potentially Saints stand out between now and Gameweek 35 and are worth navigating around that blank.

And while Brighton featured in the ‘Bad’ section for upcoming fixtures, they nonetheless offer some appealing budget options – especially for those who have already used, or won’t be playing, their Free Hit in Gameweek 33:

The likes of Joel Veltman and Robert Sanchez are at least benchable at their prices, and can be wheeled out for, at the very least, the Gameweek 33 clash with Championship-bound Sheffield United.

– Neale

Veltman has been lauded across the board ahead of the reduced-fixture Gameweek, his cheap price and attacking threat making him something of a no-brainer. But Seb cautioned that he could be handed more defensive responsibilities, with a half-time reshuffle against Southampton last time out seeing Veltman shifted into a back three:

Veltman may be moved to centre-back, in which case I will settle for a clean sheet, but if he retains the right-back/wing-back role his total of six shots in the box in the last four, of which two were big chances, looks appealing.

– Seb

Armband Alternative

David was his usual loquacious self on the Scoutcast and captaincy video this week, singing the praises of Jesse Lingard (£6.1m) to all and sundry:

I’m gonna start with Jesse Lingard because he has, just out of nowhere, become the kind of guy that is troubling enough of the stats tables … he was my favorite alternative captain when we did the Captaincy Video earlier on today.

I’ve always been a big fan of players who can get lots of shots on target – and that’s something that he’s clearly very good at because in the last four matches no Premier League player has even the same number of shots on target as Jesse Lingard … and the chances that he’s getting are are decent, too.

So if you sort all players in the Premier League by those who are actually playing this week, Jesse Lingard is joint second for big chances over the last four with a total of three; he’s had nine shots in the box, which is again joint best of all players who are playing in Gameweek 29. So the form that he’s carrying into this fixture is very strong.

– David

Lingard was David’s second pick behind Harry Kane in Captain Sensible, with a perceived weakness on Arsenal’s right flank bolstering his armband credentials.

The Manchester United loanee takes his place in the Scout Picks, which is really just the best Free Hit team every Gameweek, alongside Bale, Aubameyang and Raphinha (£5.6m) in midfield.

Leeds fan Seb reasoned that the Brazilian is due an attacking return:

Leeds’ attacking threat has deteriorated recently and whilst Raphinha has not escaped from this, he is still the main threat for United, perhaps becoming an even greater focus of the team’s ball progression and chance creation in this slight downturn. The Brazilian has an xGI of 2.01 over the last four, which he has underperformed by 1.01.

Not only was Harry Kane no. 1 in Captain Sensible but he was the unanimous choice for armband among the four Scout Squad pundits of David, Neale, Tom and Andy.

Will we all be dancing like John Travolta come Sunday night?

Community Competitions and Head-to-Head Fixtures

The draw for the first round of the 2019/20 FFS Cup

RedLightning has rounded up the Community mini-leagues and competitions.

And Neale published the latest cup results yesterday: 128 managers remain in the two tournaments, with the finals set to take place in Gameweek 35.

There’s a true ‘David and Goliath’ clash in round four as the lowest-ranked manager in the FFS Open Cup takes on the highest-ranked.

At 3,125,510th overall, Jonathan Ojao will have his work cut out when he faces 254th-placed The Fighting Cock for a spot in round five.

The Head-to-Head fixtures for Gameweek 29 can be found below. 

The scores and tables are now updating every night on the Head-to-Head Leagues main page so you can keep track of the action as the Gameweek unfolds. 

May your arrows be green!

TopMarx Fan of Fantasy Football and Monty Python. "Archimedes out to Socrates, Socrates back to Archimedes, Archimedes out to Heraclitus, he beats Hegel. Heraclitus a little flick, here he comes on the far post, Socrates is there, Socrates heads it in! Socrates has scored! The Greeks are going mad, the Greeks are going mad! Socrates scores, got a beautiful cross from Archimedes. The Germans are disputing it. Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside. Follow them on Twitter

1,012 Comments Post a Comment
  1. donbagino
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    7 players for bgw29. Would you bring GK for a hit (-4). I mean Ederson -->Areola / Martinez.

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Wouldn't bother.

  2. Gandalf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Gundo > Lingard for a hit?

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Yes

  3. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    I genuinely think I am going to save a transfer in a week where I only have 8 players

    1. Life_Ban
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      No point keeping Rob Holding who plays for Arsenal...apparently will be benched

    2. Old Boots
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Fair play, Bubz. As someone who's just scrapped the barrel to pick a FH team, I don't blame you!

  4. House Frey Wedding Planner
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    FH Team GTG?

    Sanchez
    Veltman, Dunk, Dallas, Cresswell
    Auba, Bale, Lingard, Raphinha
    Kane (c), Antonio

    Subs - Odegaard, Reguillon, Bamford

  5. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Kane or Bale © ?

    1. Super John McGinn-
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Kane

    2. Brehmeren
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Kane

  6. Muscout
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Martinez
    Dallas, Dier
    Raph, Bale, Ling
    Kane, Watkins

    Mccarthy, Cancelo, Salah, Gundo, DCL, Shaw, Rud

    3.4 itb, 8 without a hit (7 if you take out Dier)

    Anyone worth a -4??

  7. Super John McGinn-
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Any suggestions? Wildcarding 31

    Martinez (Pope)
    Dallas, Burn* (Dias, Digne, Lowton)
    Son*, Raphinia (KDB, Bruno, Gundo)
    Kane (C), Bamford (DCL)

    2 FT

    A) Son + Lowton > Bale + Veltman
    B) KDB + Lowton > Bale + Cresswell
    C) Lowton + Digne > Reguilion + Dunk
    D) Other

  8. FallingDuck
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    who to Captain?

    1.Lingard
    2.Raphina
    3.Kane
    4.Bamford

    1. Super John McGinn-
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      3

    2. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Despite Spurs being Spursy, can't look past Kane

  9. Delhidynamo
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    So there's no chance of a Son appearance?

    I feel Jose needs a performance to save his job, and Son has to be a key part of anything good coming from that lot

    1. mezza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      It doesn’t matter how important Son is if he has a pulled hamstring

  10. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Start Areola or Martinez?

    Already have Konsa

  11. UpTheCherries
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Start 2

    Aubameyang
    Bale
    Trossard

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Bale and flip a coin.

  12. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Play 1:

    A) Moura
    B) Aubameyang

    1. Indpush
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Moura

  13. Brehmeren
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    On a FH
    Start Antonio or Cresswell?

    1. Delhidynamo
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Creswell

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      What's the other choices?

      These 2 are amongst the best picks.

      1. Brehmeren
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        Sanchez
        Dunk, Veltman, Dallas, Cresswell
        Raphinha, Auba, Lingard, Bale
        Kane, Laca

        Meslier, Antonio, Tierney, Lucas Moura

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 10 days ago

          Antonio over Dallas for me.

  14. Drogba Legend
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Still have WC and have this team for this GW as of now: 0FT, 2.0 ITB

    Pope
    Digne - Stones - Dias - Dunk*
    Son* - Bale* - Raph*
    Kane* - Bam* - Antonio*

    Fodder - Bruno - Gundo - Fodder

    Anything worth a hit? Maybe Gundo > Lingz, Tross/Gross, Arsenal mid outside Auba?

    Captain??

  15. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Worth having Son and Grealish on a FH with a good bench?
    Just in case...

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Risk one perhaps, not both. JG seems very unlikely to me

    2. FPL_Motty
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Son pretty unlikely to play, grealish quite likely? I'm surprised so few on FH are talking about grealish, he could be a major differential

    3. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Not Son

    4. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      and watch them both come on for a 20 cameo 1 pointer.

    5. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Possible.

      I thought so for Grealish perhaps. Not Son.

    6. Bubbles1985
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      I wondered whether to do that but then could see either of them getting thrown on for 10min if they're chasing the game...

  16. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Son to Trossard (-4)? Thx

  17. bso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Bring in Lingard or Dunk?

  18. Il Capitano
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    No FH - No WC

    Martinez
    Targett White Cresswell
    ESR Raphinha Lingard
    Kane (C) Bamford

    (Fabri - Digne Stones Gundogan Bruno DCL)

    Free transfers made, any hits needed (8m ITB)? Or GTG?

  19. Fergiesarmy
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Odegaard or Dunk/Vielt for a hit?

    Only willing to take - 4hit

  20. Muscout
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Safe to get rid of DCL now? Everton Double much later in the season?

  21. Bubbles1985
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    FH captain Lingard or Antonio or Kane

    On Lingard but feeling pressured to go with Kane!!

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      On a fh you can be more adventurous. I’d go Lingard. Why the hell not?

  22. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    (M)aja? Thoughts

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Not to captain. Enough of a differential having him.

  23. Forever In Our Shadow
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    My mrs is fooked. Has only Antonio and alioski who might play. No FH. 2ft’s. Lol. I did warn her.

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      You married a filthy casual?!

      1. Forever In Our Shadow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        She’s filthy and casual about it. 😎

    2. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      My wife only has 4 playing but shes 40k. lol

  24. Cobaro1
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Aubameyang, kane or bale for captain?

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Kane.

    2. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Kane

    3. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Bale.

    4. Muchentuchel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      leaning towards bale but nobody has him while all of my rivals will captain kane - so going with kane.

  25. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    DCL > Bamford?

  26. VaVaVoom14
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Who takes Brighton penalties? And corners?

    1. aapoman
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Gross

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      They don't score penalties.

    3. Drogba Legend
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Gross

    4. Muchentuchel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      hopefully maupay

  27. FallingDuck
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Tierney or Reguilon?

    Already got Cresswell and Dunk.

  28. Winners900
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    A) Cresswell
    B) Reguilon

    So tough! Cheers

  29. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    a) Dunk + Lingard
    b) Dunk + Trossard
    c) Lingard + Trossard
    d) another option

  30. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Mates,

    Which one is worth a hit for this GW the most :
    A) Dallas
    B) Bale
    C) Auba
    D) None

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      B